[WARNING: This song contains antiquated racial stereotypes. It is presented here for historical and educational purposes only.]
(or “I Don’t Like Them Minstrel Folks”)
A popular song from 1901
Words by Wm. Jerome
Music by Eugene Black
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
1. Bill Johnson said to Mandy Snow
“Would you like to go to the Minstrel show?”
And Mandy said, “Well, I don’t know”
With a mighty haughty air
These Minstrel shows ain’t got no sense
It is just like wasting your fifty cents
With such affairs they should dispense
Only common folks go there
Bill Johnson he turned red
“You’re rather high-toned” he said
“Perhaps I is and be it so
I doesn’t have to go to a Minstrel show, cause
Chorus
I don’t like them Minstrel folks
And I doesn’t care for the end-men’s jokes
I has no use for the musical mokes
And I don’t like a circus clown
Mister Johnson I’ll tell you what to do
Just save up your money, ev’ry solitary sou
And I’ll promise like a lady
That I’ll go along with you
When Mister Shakespeare comes to town
2. “I likes that play they call ‘Macbeth’
My brother Seth got scared to death
It almost took away his breath
And he fainted right on the floor
And when that Shakespeare man comes ’round
You have got to chain me right to the ground
Right up in front I’m always found
He’s the man I does adore
I likes a play that’s good
Very fond of N. S. Wood
So Mister Johnson save your dough
For a Shakespeare show and then I’ll go, cause
Sung here by Fred Feild: